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In Touch
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with Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell,
Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit
Volume 2 • Issue No. 11 • FEBRUARY 2019
Batman’s Friend by Paul Fisk, see p6
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09/05/2018 16:33
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR My husband believes there are two kinds of people; those who see the positives in almost everything, and those who always see the negatives. If opposites attract, we must be the perfect couple, so when Daniel played this song by Kacey Musgraves I’m pretty sure he was making a point. It’s called Miserable. Your heart’s as heavy as the stones you throw Can’t see the flowers for the weeds you grow You blow your bubbles just to watch ‘em burst For you it’s always bad to worse And you can’t win unless you lose You try to tell me you want happiness But you ain’t happy unless You’re miserable Your neighbor’s dirty laundry’s cleaner And the wolf at your door’s always meaner The sky’s still grey when the sun’s around But you can’t set sail if your anchor’s down And you can’t win unless you lose You try to tell me you want happiness But you ain’t happy unless You’re miserable I’m miserable Can’t liven up for the both of us We have enough for the whole of us If misery loves company Then I can’t keep you company no more
NEWS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO LISTEN TO CHILDREN READ Can you spare an hour or two a week to listen to children read in your local primary school? Schoolreaders is looking for more volunteers locally to carry out this important role. Reading time for many children at home and at school is often insufficient and according to Government statistics, one in four children are now leaving primary school unable to read to the expected standard. This can have a lifelong consequence. Schoolreaders is flexible and aims to match your availability to an appropriate, local school. No qualifications are necessary, just a good command of spoken and written English and a commitment of one year is requested. Our volunteers find the scheme incredibly rewarding, knowing that a few hours helping a child learn to read each week can have such a great impact on their life chances. For further information or to join please call 01234 924111 or visit: www.schoolreaders.org
He got me good! I don’t think I’m this miserable, but when life is going well, I live in dread of what’s bound to come, and it’s bound to be bad! I think it’s an inherited trait, but it’s not one I want to pass on. Is it possible to change? I sure hope so because my New Year’s resolution is to prove Daniel wrong!
InTouch
with Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell,
Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit
Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk
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Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions.While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.
We also publish In Touch with... •B ramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham •C apel St Mary •B arham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton •B elstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook •D edham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary •B aylham, Gt & Lt Blakenham & Nettlestead • I pswich East •K esgrave & Rushmere St Andrew •B rantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley •M artlesham Heath & Old Martlesham •N eedham Market & The Creetings •C helmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone •B urstall & Sproughton •S towmarket & Stowupland • Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin, Westerfield & Witnesham •C hattisham, Hadleigh, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon •M elton & Woodbridge
ELMSWELL BABY & TODDLER GROUP Saturday, March 30, 11am-2pm The Blackbourne, Elmswell IP30 9UH Toys, books and baby equipment, school uniforms and clothes 0-9 years and much more If you have anything to sell, please contact Elysa: 07403 380961 / elmswell.nns@gmail.com 25% of sale fees to go to Elmswell Toddler Group We welcome any donations of goods Free entry / Refreshments and cakes available @nearlynewsale
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MARCH DEADLINE
20 FEBRUARY 2019
is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy
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NEWS COUNTY COUNCILLOR PENNY OTTON
A NOTE FROM RACHEL EBURNE DISTRICT COUNCILLOR FOR HAUGHLEY & WETHERDEN As some of you may already know, I was diagnosed with Myeloma (a form of bone marrow cancer) in November and have spent a considerable time in hospital recently undergoing treatment.
THEDWASTRE SOUTH DIVISION Including Thurston, Beyton, Hessett, Drinkstone, Felsham, Gedding, Rattlesden (also Onehouse, Buxhall, Harleston, Shelland and Gt Finborough) Council pledges to lead fight against single-use plastics On 6 December 2018, I put forward a motion calling on Suffolk County Council to do more to tackle single-use plastic waste in the county. The motion was agreed unanimously by all councillors. The measures the council has agreed to implement include a commitment to work towards only using sustainable or re-usable plastics in all council buildings, writing to the public on how to reduce plastic waste, and creating a plastic free Suffolk network of councils, businesses and other organisations. Consultation on cuts to Citizens Advice In November, Suffolk County Council announced their intention to cut all funding for Suffolk’s Citizens Advice Bureaus as part of their budget savings proposals. This was later amended to being phased out over two years. The funding will be reduced by half (£184,000) in 2019/20, before being removed entirely in 2020/21.
In my absence Keith Welham, the District Councillor for Stowupland, has been dealing with local district council issues. I am now at home and hope to be back in action soon, but if you need anything dealt with in the meantime, please contact Keith: 01449 673185 / keith.welham@midsuffolk.gov.uk Thanks to all of you who have sent your best wishes – I look forward to seeing you soon. Rachel Eburne
I am very concerned by these proposals, which will have a huge impact on our Citizen’s Advice Bureaus. The services provided by CABs represent great value for money and support many of our most vulnerable residents.
STOWMARKET & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Suffolk County Council refuses to tackle Carbon Emissions At the council meeting in December, councillors from my group proposed a motion asking Suffolk County Council to set an annual ‘carbon budget’ and create targets for reducing carbon emissions. A carbon budget would set out how much carbon the council could emit each year, much like a financial budget sets out how much money can be spent. Unfortunately, the administration voted against the motion and refused to commit to any carbon reduction targets.
Friday, February 1, 10am-noon: Coffee and Networking Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market
Suffolk County Council already monitors its carbon emissions, but currently this work is not in the public domain and there are no clear targets for carbon reduction. The motion asked the council to make this process open, transparent and accountable, and it’s a shame the administration didn’t want to engage with us on this issue.
Don’t forget MSBE2 (Mid Suffolk Business Exhibition) will be back on March 27 at The Mix. Find out all about it and reserve your visitors’ goody bag at: https://msbe.biz
Modern Slavery Statement Unanimously Agreed A motion on modern slavery was unanimously agreed at the council meeting in December. The motion commits Suffolk County Council to comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and do all it can to eradicate modern slavery and human trafficking in Suffolk. In addition, the council will review its procurement processes to see where they can be strengthened to fully comply with the Modern Slavery Act and bring a paper to Cabinet to decide on the production of an annual slavery and human trafficking statement. This statement will outline our actions to identify, prevent and mitigate modern slavery in our communities. Energy from Waste Facility Refinanced In 2010, Suffolk County Council entered into a PFI-backed contract with Suez for the Suffolk energy from waste facility. The gate fee-per-tonne payments for the disposal of waste include the capital costs of the facility as well as the operating costs over the 25-year contract life. In October 2016, the council refinanced £37.8m (22.4%) of the facility’s capital construction cost in order to reduce the gate fee per tonne.
Friday, February 15, 6.45am: Breakfast The Mix Stowmarket, Suffolk To book online, follow the link at: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk/networking-events
STOWMARKET CRAFT MARKET Stowmarket Artisan Market has been running for the past three years and has grown from strength to strength. Beginning with only a handful of stalls to now being fully booked most months, it ended 2018 with one of its most successful years yet. The market is now under new management and in a bid to rid any confusion and welcome even more local custom, it has been renamed Stowmarket Craft Market. Our first market in March will showcase many of our regular stall-holders as well as a few new ones. The Scouts fundraising committee will be continuing to serve tea/coffee and yummy cakes and bacon rolls. The markets are held on the first Saturday of the month at Stowmarket Scout Centre, Milton Road, IP14 1EX (located behind the library). Admission is free. For more information contact Sherilee: Stowmarketcraftmarket@gmail.com
At Cabinet in December it was agreed to refinance a further £10.2m (6%), which would further reduce the gate fee-per-tonne and consequently reduce the council’s annual revenue costs. The net savings are projected to be a further cumulative £10.4m over the remainder of the contract. penny.otton@suffolk.gov.uk
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NEWS DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT, FEBRUARY 2019 HAUGHLEY & WETHERDEN WARD News of Rachel Eburne, your District Councillor I am pleased that Rachel is now home after two spells in hospital and is continuing her recovery there. In the meantime, I will be the point of contact for any district council issues that Rachel would have dealt with. I am sure that all readers will join me in wishing Rachel a full and speedy recovery. Budget Proposals and Council Tax 2019/20 The draft budget for the next financial year has been discussed by MSDC Cabinet. Despite a projected underspend of just over £1.6 million, the council is proposing an increase in Council Tax of two per cent. The council is also proposing further borrowing of around £25 million to invest in commercial properties; this is in addition to £25 million borrowed and invested in commercial properties such as a car showroom in Milton Keynes and Marks and Spencer in Brentwood. There are already concerns that the current value of existing investments may be below the total purchase price; the wisdom of further borrowing to invest in commercial properties outside of our district is being questioned. The draft budget proposes transferring the £1.6 million underspend from 2018/19 to a commercial risk management reserve to mitigate risks associated with the borrowing and commercial investment.
be sufficient land across Mid Suffolk for more than five years’ supply. Further work is being done on this and consultations carried out before the council is prepared to confirm a precise figure. Refuse Collection Contract Cabinet have agreed in principle to extending the current contract with Serco for a further seven years, from 2021 to 2028. Joint Communities Strategy Cabinet have approved a draft Communities Strategy for public consultation. It is important that the parish councils, community groups and clubs, and individual residents respond to this consultation. The strategy will, when approved, set out a vision for how MSDC and communities will work together in the future. Joint Parking Plan Consultants, on behalf of Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils, have drafted a policy for consultation and future consideration by the two Cabinets. Policies and parking charges in the separate districts are currently very different and it will be interesting to see whether or not a compromise can be reached which is acceptable to both districts.
The Green Party opposition councillors are not in favour of borrowing further huge sums of money, but would support borrowing to build homes for sale and rent. We could provide energy-efficient high-quality homes to help alleviate the housing shortage, bringing in income through New Homes Bonus, Council Tax and rents and helping towards securing a five-year supply of housing land, meeting our commitments for housing completions and providing homes for social rent.
Locality Awards I have completed the allocation of Rachel’s Locality Grants; funds have been provided towards the cost of equipment for Haughley Amateur Theatre Society, heritage information boards for Haughley, a new noticeboard for Wetherden, grants to Haughley Parish Council, Wetherden Parish Council, Wetherden Townlands Trust, Haughley United Football Club’s youth teams, Haughley in Bloom and The Mix in Stowmarket.
Joint Local Plan and Five-Year Land Supply for Housing Development Unfortunately, progress on the Joint Local Plan has been delayed further and public consultation on the draft plan will not take place until after the district council elections in May. Officers have produced information in respect of the five-year land supply and they now believe that there may
Submitted by Keith Welham, MSDC District Councillor for Stowupland Ward, on behalf of Rachel Eburne, MSDC District Councillor for Haughley and Weltherden
STOWUPLAND LOCAL HISTORY GROUP
STOWMARKET & DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB
Wednesday, February 6: Medieval Drama by Dr Kate Jewell Dr Kate Jewell returns for her third talk to our group. Previously she has looked at mediaeval rituals and popular entertainment. Now she will be exploring drama in the Middle Ages, such as mystery plays. Ordinary folk used these performances to protest against injustice and to make social comments. Kate studied the performance of medieval plays in the area around Bury St Edmunds for her MA at the University of East Anglia. Wednesday, March 6: Gypsy Caravans by Geoffrey Kay The speaker has made a Reading type caravan. This illustrated lecture tells the personal story behind the research and the making – and the search for a suitable horse! Wednesday, April 3: Suffolk Cloth Industry by Dr Nicholas Amor South Suffolk villages such as Lavenham and Long Melford are well known as centres of wool production in the Middle Ages. The talk looks at the heyday of this local industry. Dr Nick Amor is chairman of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History and an honorary fellow of the University of East Anglia. He is author of Medieval Ipswich: Trade and Industry and From Wool to Cloth: The Triumph of the Suffolk Clothier.
keith.welham@midsuffolk.gov.uk
On December 10 we welcomed Howard King to the club to judge the wildlife competition for the Ray Giffin Trophy. It was good to see a large number of prints entered, giving Howard quite a task to find a winner. The results were: 1: Grey Heron Taking Off by Roy Fidler 2: Kingfisher Poseur by Roy Fidler 3: Batman’s Friend by Paul Fisk (cover image) Well done to Roy and Paul. On December 14 several members and partners enjoyed a Christmas meal at The Mix in Stowmarket. UPCOMING MEETINGS Monday, February 11: Open Competition 3 judged by Mike Lloyd Monday, February 25: Earth & Skies, a talk by Barry Freeman ARPS DPAGB Monday, March 11: Open Competition 4 judged by Frank Blyth CPAGB BPE1* Monday, March 25: As I See It, an interactive talk with Roy Fidler You don’t have to be an expert photographer to be welcomed as a member of the club. All you need is an interest in photography. Our aim is to encourage you to develop your interest and skills, as well as to provide a place to meet a range of friendly people who share your interest.
We meet at 7.30pm in Stowupland Village Hall IP14 4BQ. There is plenty of space to park. Visitors are always welcome and refreshments are available. Admission is £1 for members, £3 for non-members.
Regular meetings are held at Stowmarket Community Centre, Hillside, Stowmarket IP14 2BD, usually on the second the fourth Monday of the month between September and June. We start arriving at around 7pm for a 7.30pm start. We’d love to see you there, so why not join us?
For more information, please contact Judy Clarke: 01449 615386
Visit: www.stowmarketanddistrictcameraclub.onesuffolk.net
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OUT & ABOUT STOWMARKET CHORALE Stowmarket Chorale have recently welcomed new singers and begun the new year with rehearsals for Brahms’ German Requiem. This next concert will be held on Saturday, March 30 at the United Reformed Church, Stowmarket, and tickets costing £15 are available online or on the door. If you are interested in joining us, please contact: secretary@stowmarketchorale.org.uk www.stowmarketchorale.org.uk
bRAVO! THEATRE WORKSHOPS
The children of bRAVO! Theatre Workshops had such an amazing year in 2018, rounding off with our Christmas Variety Show at Needham Market Community Centre. The show, as always, was a huge success and the students and audiences had a great time. The whole school, ranging in age from 4-18 years, sang, acted and danced their socks off and they loved it! We travelled to The Royal Albert Hall earlier last year to perform and also to The Ipswich Regent Theatre. We put on two musicals, a charity performance raising money for EACH, as well as three Christmas choir performances. We’ve had fantastic LAMDA results in 2018 thanks to all the students’ hard work. We’re also very proud of two of our students, Noah Sparkes and Eleni South, who were chosen from over 70 children to perform in The Sound of Music (Bury Operatic Society) in 2019. If you would like to join in the fun, we meet every Friday evening at The Boys Brigade Hall, Combs Lane, Stowmarket. For more details, please contact Anna at bravotw@hotmail.com or visit: www.bravotheatreworkshops.co.uk
STOWMARKET RAMBLERS Sunday, February 3: 5 mile walk south of Alton Water. Park and meet at the small car park near Tattingstone Wonder at 10am / GR. TM140363. Leader: 01449 672168 Sunday, February 10: 4.25 mile winter walk, mostly along hard surfaces around Old Newton. Park and meet at Old Newton Village Hall, Church Road, Old Newton at 10.30am / GR. TM052625. Leader: 01449 676533 Sunday, February 17: 5 mile walk in the Ixworth area. Park and meet at Ixworth Village Hall at 10.30am / GR. TL932702. Leader: 01449 676533 Sunday, February 24: 5.5 mile walk from Elmswell to Norton and back. Park and meet at Elmswell Railway Station at 10am / GR. TL989939. Leader: 07896 622192
GIRLS’ NIGHT Cake Decorating by Graham Fuller Friday, March 8 7.30pm at Woolpit Christian Fellowship White Elm Road, Woolpit IP30 9SQ For more information contact Jan: 01359 240502
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OUT & ABOUT DRINKSTONE OPEN GARDENS
WOOLPIT AND DISTRICT MUSEUM
Save the Date: Saturday, June 15 Come and be inspired! There will be around a dozen gardens open including two NGS gardens, with two new for this year, all very different with something for everyone to enjoy. Entry by programme is £5 per person, available on the day. Accompanied under 16s are free. Delicious homemade cakes and savouries will be available in the village hall together with our plant sale where you can pick up a bargain to add to your plant collection. This is a fundraising event for the work of All Saints’ Church. Contact: lynnewoodward44@gmail.com
THE JUBILEE LADIES CHOIR We have now returned to rehearsals after a busy pre-Christmas period which included two concerts. The first was held in Elmswell and the second at the United Reformed Church in Stowmarket. We also visited two care homes, one in Stowmarket and the other in Stowupland. Residents and staff from both homes enjoyed joining in with the choir. For the summer term we are looking forward to learning new songs and returning to others. Here are two concert dates for your diary. The first will be on Friday, June 21 at St John the Baptist Church in Needham Market. The second will be on Saturday, July 6 at the United Reformed Church in Stowmarket where we will be joined by the St Edmundsbury Male Voice Choir. We will be making donations from the proceeds of these concerts to a well known charity. More details about the concerts and our chosen charities will follow. If you would like to join our choir please contact our chairman, Di Balaam on 01449 736374. You can also find out more about our choir by visiting our Facebook page. If you would like the choir to sing at your event please contact Norma Bolton on 01449 740439.
In December I wrote about Dr O.R.M. Wood who practised in Woolpit from circa 1893 until the late 1920s and described the active interest he took in the village school. When he first arrived the school was situated opposite the church (now the site of the car park), but on 2 April 1894 it moved to a new building in Heath Road which remains as the core of the present school. Kelly’s Directory tells us that this Public Elementary School cost £2,000 and was built to hold up to 254 children. The school log book records attendance as being ‘naturally very good’ on the opening day, but there is no record of the exact number of children on roll and it is unlikely that it ever reached more than 200. The average attendance seems to have been around 166 pupils and attendance was often erratic with children absent in the winter months because of bad weather and in the summer because they were helping in the fields. In the 1890s children officially left school at the age of 14, but some were allowed to leave earlier to enter domestic service or to work on farms. Throughout the 1890s staff shortages were frequently reported, and class sizes averaged well over 40. In winter the classrooms often got very cold and coal was difficult to obtain, especially in the years immediately after the First World War. Ink froze and snow blew in through the windows. Conversely the headmaster writing in the log book in July 1923 complains of ‘Record temperatures again – all rooms 90 degrees. Impossible to do any real work’. In front of the school was a wall with two gates, one used by pupils coming from the direction of Woolpit Heath who were known as Heathens, the other by pupils from Woolpit Street direction and known as Stretons. In 1994 celebrations were held to mark the school’s centenary and a booklet was published which includes memories of the school given by some older Woolpit residents. Mr Ralph Wood was appointed as headmaster in 1953 and remembered that when he first arrived the school had no kitchen, flushing toilets, staff room, secretary, library or playing field. There was a flagpole in the playground, but this soon fell down! Over the years the building has been redesigned and extended to incorporate all modern facilities, but its Victorian heritage is still in evidence. 2019 marks the 125th anniversary of the present school and we hope to include more about its history in future articles.
THE UNKNOWN TRESPASSER The term ‘trespasser’ is generally used in the context of one person going onto another person’s land without permission (though there are other meanings for the legal term of trespass). If this occurs, there are legal remedies open to the landowner – one of which is to obtain an injunction in court. An injunction is a court order that binds a person not to do something. In most cases, that person will be known – and might be, for example, a neighbour or adjoining landowner who has somehow encroached upon land not belonging to them. In general, when a court order such as an injunction is sought, it is a requirement that the person against whom the order is sought is identified – though some recent cases have resulted in injunctions being granted against an unknown person or persons. This might involve an illegal rave or fly tipping, for example. Landowners may be aware that either of these illegal activities is a possibility – but will not know who the perpetrator is, until the event occurs.
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Now the courts have begun to move towards granting injunctions against unknown trespassers – provided certain criteria are met. One recent case involves the Tetley brewery site in Leeds which was a target for illegal raves with concerns also about fly tipping. In this case, the owners had to demonstrate that there was a substantial risk. In such cases there has to be a demonstration of a strong probability of trespass – and also that it was likely to cause harm. It is also a requirement that the order, when made, be prominently displayed on the site. It now seems that these latest judgements may allow landowners and developers to use injunctions to protect a property where there is a risk of illegal activities like this occurring.
Buttermarket, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1ED Telephone: 01449 613101 • Fax: 01449 615087 Email: info@gudgeons-prentice.co.uk
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OUT & ABOUT ELMSWELL HISTORY GROUP To round off the first part of our 2018-19 season of monthly talks, in December we welcomed the Penland Phezants from Ely who entertained us with the story of Hereward the Wake in words and music written and performed by the group. We are all now much better informed about the legendary Anglo-Saxon head of resistance to William the Conqueror. Hereward was born in 1035 and his family owned lands in south Lincolnshire. Having been exiled from England in around 1050, Hereward became a mercenary in Flanders, but returned to England after the Norman Conquest. He led his men in several rebellious attacks against the Normans, being imprisoned, but then eventually negotiating with William and being liberated by his friends and pardoned by William. Hereward lived for some time as an outlaw in the Fens and, on the verge of once more making peace with William, was set upon and killed by a group of Norman knights – boo hiss! The four musicians and performers really brought this little-known East Anglian tale to life, which was very much enjoyed by our bumper audience, as was the seasonal buffet and mulled wine. Congratulations also to the four winners of our free prize draw. Our first talk of 2019 about Bury’s Corn Exchange was presented by local historian and author John Orbell, whose father worked there for many years. Our audience was fascinated by John’s researches into the varying fortunes of this magnificent Grade 1-listed building which opened for business in 1862 in the centre of our lovely market town. John detailed the three main ‘crises’ in its history, the last one being in the mid-1960s when the then town corporation wanted to knock it all down to be replaced with a ghastly concrete block of shops and a bus station! However, there was such an outcry from the local press, numerous local businesses, organisations and townspeople, that these plans were eventually overturned – phew!
COFFEE MORNING In aid of Marie Curie
Friday, March 1, 10am-noon Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship White Elm Road, Woolpit IP30 9SQ For more information call Phil and Jan on 01359 240502 or Margaret Cook on 01359 240565
STOWMARKET FLOWER CLUB Would you like a new hobby this New Year? Why not come and join the Stowmarket and District Flower Club? We meet every fourth Wednesday (except August) at 7.30pm in Woolpit Village Hall (Mill Lane, IP30 9QX), when talented and experience flower arrangers give entertaining demonstrations. The results are raffled off, followed by refreshments and a chance to mingle and purchase flower arranging items from the sales table. We also visit other clubs on their open days and shows around the area, hold workshops to show you how it’s done and competitions too. Annual membership is £30, or visitors pay £6 per meeting if you don’t want to commit yourself straight away. Come and join us; you may have a hidden talent you were unaware of! Our next meeting is on Wednesday, February 27 when Jenni Baker from Harleston is giving a demonstration entitled The Feminine Touch.
With the coming of the railway to Bury, the town and general trading flourished, although we were surprised to learn that the corn-trading business itself took place there for only three hours per week. However, even this gradually subsided over the years, after which the building went on to host lots of social events (dances, roller skating, boxing matches, etc.) which several of our members remembered fondly. FORTHCOMING TALKS February 14: The Story of East Anglian Almshouses by Sarah Doig This is a welcome return of local well-regarded historian and writer on her newest topic of research, which should give us some interesting insights into this fascinating subject, beginning with the monks in the Middle Ages right through to 1853 when the Charity Commission was founded, and including mention of our very own almshouses in Elmswell. March 14: Tea for the British by Miriam Stead The good old cuppa was a very expensive commodity but became our national drink in the 18th and 19th century, and Miriam will include many local references in her talk. The trade in East Anglia (mainly Ipswich and Lowestoft) was so strong that it helped finance the building of Ipswich’s splendid new Customs House in 1845. New members and visitors are always warmly welcomed at our meetings; just come along for our prompt start of 7.30pm on the second Thursday of each month. We meet at the Wesley Hall (School Road, Elmswell IP30 9EE) where there is ample on-site parking and disabled access. You don’t have to become a member to attend, although it is financially advantageous for you to do so if you plan to attend more than five of our 11 meetings per year. It’s £8 to join and £2 per meeting, or £4 per meetings for visitors. www.elmswell-history.org.uk / 01359 242601
HAUGHLEY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Chairman: Mr Tim Hart Vice Chair: Mr R Buttle Secretary: Mr Lewis Van Slyke Email: Haughley.Web@RBL.community This time of year is generally slow for us with the beginning of 2019 being no different. However, lots of planning is happening for 2019. Planning for the village fete is well underway and will take place on King George V playing fields on June 8. We have arena acts already booked including a marching band. I have emailed organisations from around the area over the last week or so. If you haven’t received any communication from myself and you would like to enquire about a stall, please contact me at: acsargent48@gmail.com ROY’S THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH When the millennium was approaching, the voices of doom were telling us the world was coming to an end. Now people cannot live without technology. Next I wonder if people will have lost the power of speech… Shhh! Don’t tell the experts! FUTURE DATES February 5: Branch Meeting 7.45pm March 5: Branch Meeting 7.45pm April 2: Branch Meeting 7.45pm Have a great February! Ash To view our latest newsletter or our full calendar of events please visit: www.britishlegion.org/branches/Haughley
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OUT & ABOUT / SPORT ELMSWELL GARDENING CLUB
STOWMARKET CRICKET CLUB
Following a stimulating year of talks and demonstrations during 2018, Elmswell Gardening Club is preparing to open the doors in 2019 for another year of interesting and varied evenings.
It hasn’t even snowed yet, but Stowmarket Cricket Club’s preparations for 2019 are progressing well.
Our first meeting will be on Tuesday, February 19, 7.30pm at The Blackbourne Community Centre. Helen Ackroyd, a National Trust speaker, will share stories about Anglesey Abbey and the Fairhaven legacy of the magnificent garden, gifted to the nation in 1966. There is always something to see at Anglesey, whatever the season, as club members found out last year when they spent time in July exploring the extensive gardens. This will be a great opportunity to remind ourselves of that day and awaken our desire to plan for our own garden spaces. Maybe not upon the grand scale of Anglesey, but then anything is possible! You may have just acquired a new garden, want to change the way your space looks or just have room for a few pots to brighten a patio area. Many of us do not have specialist knowledge but want to learn how to garden and club members enjoy sharing their gardening expertise. Our monthly meetings aim to inspire, empowering us to have a go at making decisions to improve our outdoor space or prompting us to make a promised visit to a beautiful place. If you feel minded to join us, don’t hesitate to book the date in your diary. We meet on the third Tuesday of the month at The Blackbourne Community Centre where you will find a very warm welcome awaiting. If you require further information about Elmswell Gardening Club, please contact Nick: 01359 242601 / elmswell-gardenclub@aol.com We hope to see you in 2019.
ELMSWELL BOWLS CLUB The members of Elmswell Bowls Club extend warm wishes of health, wealth and happiness to all our friends in Elmswell, Stowupland and surrounding areas.
NEW YEAR BADMINTON NIGHTS FOR LADIES AND GIRLS Stowmarket Badminton Club’s sessions for ladies and girls continue at Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre on Tuesday evenings from 8-9pm. If you fancy a new challenge for 2019, or just want to get back into badminton, why not dust off your racket, lace up your trainers and join us for some casual informal fun sessions? Rackets will be provided on the night and we have courts available to allow you to refine your skills, or just have some fun in a friendly relaxed atmosphere. For further information please contact Mary Hughes: 01359 240811 / stowmarketbc@suffolkbadminton.co.uk
Following a third successive promotion, the 1st XI will be playing in Division 3 of the Two Counties League We extend a warm welcome to new recruits Jordan Dye, a successful local all-rounder, and George Royal, an opening batsman, who consistently scored heavily in the Wiltshire Premier League. We are also looking to strengthen our 2nd XI and Wednesday T20 teams, as well as providing Sunday cricket in alliance with another local side. Paul Blake, Richard Baxter and Simon Codd will continue their duties as captains. Winter nets are booked at Ipswich School: Sunday, February 17, 7.30-9pm Sunday, March 3, 7.30-9pm Sunday, March 17, 7.30-9pm Sunday, March 21, 7.30-9pm Weekly outdoor nets will commence on Thursday, April 4 from 6pm. Our youth season will start with a registration/fun evening on Monday, March 24 at 6pm. Weekly coaching sessions will be held throughout the year on Monday evenings and competitive matches will be available throughout the season for all age groups. We remain one of the most affordable and inclusive clubs to play for. We welcome players, male and female, of all ages and abilities. Our juniors are pictured receiving annual individual awards from Andrew Bingham. So why not give the great game of cricket a go? Just contact Clive Witherly – 01359 240019 / wigg51@btinternet.com – or visit: www.stowmarketcc.co.uk
STOWMARKET TENNIS CLUB Now that the festive break is far behind us and the days are getting marginally longer, we can set our sights on getting sharp for the busy season to come. There’s never a real break in activity at the club because we have our dome, but the scheduled matches, tournaments and other events pick-up as we approach Easter. The first Grand Slam tournament of the year may well be over by the time this is released as the Australian Open begins on January 14. Already there are some big names with injury trouble or a strange drop in form. Serena Williams has had a couple of shock defeats in warm-up events with Sharapova retiring early with an elbow and Andy Murray already going public with his doubts on his stay at the top (even if he ever gets back up there). Kyle Maclaughlin, our current men’s number 1, is also suffering from the exertions of last year to earn him the top spot and highest ever world ranking. Our own superstars are keenly eying-up the Easter veteran’s tournament at Henly Road which is always an event where we’ve done well and taken a few notable scalps. Many of our players train with the county team players so could do very well indeed. All it takes is that extra little push! Winter league is entering the home stretch now so by the end of February we should have a fairly good view of which pairs are being promoted. However, the last time I saw the league tables several of our pairs were right at the top so had nowhere left to climb. Well done to them all. The coaching program is running at full speed with many different starting points whether you’re an adult, junior, beginner or advanced. There is bound to be a session or group to suit if you’d like to take the plunge and get involved. Lots of us are looking for ways to trim the Christmas tummy and tennis is absolutely perfect; you get plenty of exercise and meet some friendly faces along the way. If you’d like any more information on how to get started just get in touch. Senior Club Coach Chris Cunningham chris@chriscoaching.plus.com / 07761 142372
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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS EXERCISE HELPS CANCER PATIENTS AND SURVIVORS Sadly, the number of new cancer cases diagnosed in the UK is increasing. It is likely that we all know somebody who has been effected by cancer themselves or within their families. Luckily, due to advances in treatments the survival rates are also increasing. Thankfully now, 50 per cent survive cancer for 10 years or more. This has created a growing group of people with unique health requirements. A recent study has suggested that exercise can help address many of the issues faced by cancer patients and survivors. The study reviewed 100 papers that included thousands of patients with different types of cancer and recorded their activity levels. The review supports the view of including exercise in cancer care, reporting these major benefits:- 1. Reduces cancer related death by up to 44% 2. Reduces cancer re-occurrence by up to 35% 3. Exercise is the number one treatment for fatigue, the most common side effect of cancer 4. Helpful at reducing depression due to hormone release 5. Management of lymphedema (swelling) 6. Increased effectiveness and completion rates of chemotherapypatients bodies are more robust and able to cope better with the toxic treatments Anyone with a cancer diagnosis should receive specialised advice from a trained professional on activity levels. Once treatment has been completed patients should aim to achieve the World Health Organisations recommended activity guidelines for all adults (unless otherwise advised). These guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week, or a combination of the two. In 2015, 38 per cent of cancer cases were preventable because they were caused by lifestyle choices such as obesity and smoking. Completing regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of 13 types of cancer! Exercise maintains healthy hormone levels, strengthens the immune system and helps the digestive system by speeding potentially harmful substances through the intestines. For anybody returning to exercise after cancer treatment, or anybody starting exercise to prevent cancer, getting started can be difficult. The advice is to keep it simple and enjoyable. Activities such as walking or dancing to music are good forms of exercise. It is also important to be realistic. Start with a few minutes and gradually add more. It can also be useful to tell people that you are aiming to be more active. Friends and family will support and motivate you on your journey. Exercise can be done formally in the form of a class or swimming session, or you can sneak it in by parking further away to do the shop or deciding to take the stairs instead of the lift. However you decide to exercise, your body will feel the benefits and professional help is always available if needed. Claire Reach MCSP HCPC Senior Physiotherapist PhysioFixx Physiotherapy Clinic
ST ANDREW’S NORTON & ST ANDREW’S TOSTOCK Part of the Benefice of Pakenham, Norton & Tostock, with Great Ashfield, Hunston & Stowlangtoft Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Katherine Valentine 01359 235095 / katherine@kavalentine.plus.com Our beautiful and ancient churches are both open daily for visitors and for private prayer. Sunday, February 3 8am Holy Communion, St Andrew’s Norton 9.30 for 10am family@church at Pakenham Sunday, February 10 9.30am Holy Communion, St Andrew’s Tostock 6pm Evensong, St Andrew’s Norton Sunday, February 17 11am Morning Prayer, St Andrew’s Norton 6pm Evening Prayer & Praise, St Andrew’s Tostock Sunday, February 24 9.30am Family Communion, St Andrew’s Norton 11am Morning Prayer, St Andrew’s Tostock Countryside Church at The Croft, Tostock Monday, February 18 at 10am An informal service of prayer and praise for everyone is held at The Croft every month. Come and sing your favourite hymns, chat with friends and enjoy the refreshments.
St Mary’s, Pakenham, 9.30 for 10am Sunday, February 3: A Candle for You Breakfasty refreshments available from 9.30am. This service on the first Sunday of every month is run by the whole benefice and is the opportunity for all our villages and families to join together in worship and get to know each other. Look out for the invitation coming through your door!
WOOLPIT ROOM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP White Elm Road, Woolpit IP30 9SQ We are a group of ordinary people who want to worship and praise God, thank Him for all His love and seek to share His love with others in our daily lives. We invite you to join us in any of the church’s activities – you will be very welcome. For further information please visit: www.woolpitroomfellowship.org Sundays: 10-11am followed by coffee & biscuits Monday Meet: 2.30-3.30pm Monday Meet You are very welcome to join us from 2.30-3.30pm at Woolpit Christian Fellowship for a friendly, informal and relaxed get-together. We start with an interesting talk, then break for tea, followed by an encouraging talk from the Bible. For more information call Margaret (01359 240565) or Phil and Jan (01359 240502 / woolpitroomfellowship@gmail.com) Also see COFFEE MORNING on page 11 and GIRLS’ NIGHT on page 8.
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CHURCH NEWS Breakfast Church
ST JOHN’S CHURCH, ELMSWELL
3rd Sunday of the month
9am at St John’s, Elmswell
Hello from St John’s, How was your January? Our new year kicked off with the baptism of a gorgeous little girl named Grace. We pray that God will hold a special place in her heart and she will have long-lasting, faithful relationship with Him. We also pray that her parents will turn to God in good times and bad, and raise Grace with enormous amounts of love and compassion, just as Jesus taught. This month we have: Saturday, February 9, 8.30am: Men’s Breakfast This friendly bunch of chaps meet, eat and listen to a speaker. Again, if a full English and making friends sounds fun to you, please get in touch for more information! Friday, February 22, 10.30am: Messy Church A morning of craft, songs, a Bible story, games and jokes rounded off with lunch (during the school holidays). All ages are welcome, but children should be accompanied by an adult. Future dates: Friday, March 22, 3.505.30pm (drinks/biscuit from 3.30pm, includes tea) and Friday, April 12, 10.30am-12.30pm (includes light lunch). Friday, February 22, 11.30am: Ladies Lunch Our monthly lunch for ladies with speaker at the Wesley Hall. Saturday, February 23, 7pm: Church Quiz A fun evening of general knowledge questions! Teams of six, £10 per person including a delicious sausage casserole. If you’d like to come along, please get in touch and we can provide more information. This month, we’re using our article to talk about the various Sunday Services we hold. Family Church (All-Age Worship): First Sunday at 9.30am This is a family friendly service with songs led by a music group, which includes prayers, readings and a child-friendly talk. It lasts about 45 minutes and is followed by tea, coffee, squash and biscuits. The room at the back is available as a crèche. Breakfast Church: Third Sunday at 9.30am This is a lovely, informal service with a light breakfast available beforehand from 9am. No need to book! Worship led by the music group starts at 9.30am. After a couple of songs, those aged 0 to 13 go to our wonderful children’s groups, which are led by a rota of volunteers. The service then consists of a Bible reading and talk, a few prayers and some more worship songs.
ELMSWELL BAPTIST CHURCH Christmas is over and 2019 is a month old. Not much has changed from 2018! The weather is a bit colder, children are back at school, Brexit is still on everybody’s mind and probably will be for some months to come. Whatever 2019 has in store for us, we at the Elmswell Baptist Church will still be opening our doors to anyone wishing to join us for any of our services or activities and offering them a warm and friendly welcome. In January we enjoyed a belated Food and Friends Christmas Lunch, and we look forward to February 8 when this month’s lunch will take place. Food and Friends Lunch is aimed at the older folk in our community. We provide a three course lunch with tea or coffee before and after the meal, only asking for a small donation to cover our costs. If you or a member of your family would like to join us, contact Jackie on 01359 245918. On February 4 our Ladies Friendship Group will meet at the church where Pip Wright will give a talk about The Rev John Heigham Steggles (The Suffolk Gypsy). The Ladies Friendship Group meets on the first Monday
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It typically wraps up around 10.20am, when more tea, coffee, squash and biscuits will be made available. The room at the back is available as a crèche. Traditional Church: First and third Sundays at 11am This is a more traditional service with hymns and organ and always includes Holy Communion. Tea and coffee are available beforehand from 10.30am. Holding the refreshments before the service is a wonderful way for our church family to integrate. On other Sundays of the month, our main service takes place at 10.30am, with a mixture of traditional and contemporary music and worship. Children’s groups for those aged 0 to 13 run at the same time. These activities for children are exciting and enjoyable and are led by a rota of volunteers. Again, refreshments are served afterwards in the meeting room at the back. Everyone is very welcome to stay for tea, coffee, squash, chocolate brownies (the best in Suffolk) and biscuits! Early Morning Communion: Second and fifth Sundays at 8am A quiet, reflective service of Holy Communion with no hymns from the Book of Common Prayer. The service lasts for about 40 minutes and includes a short sermon based on readings from the Bible as well as prayers. Sunday, February 3 9.30am All-Age Service 11am BCP Holy Communion Sunday, February 10 8am Holy Communion (BCP) 10.30am Parish Praise Sunday, February 17 9.30am Breakfast Service (breakfast from 9am) 11am Holy Communion Sunday, February 24 10.30am Holy Communion Sunday, March 3 9.30am All-Age Service 11am BCP Morning Prayer / Communion Get in touch! Rector: Peter Goodridge 01359 240512 / elmswellrector@gmail.com www.stjohnselmswell.org.uk / Facebook
of almost every month for a social gathering where they hear talks or watch demonstrations on varied subjects.Contact Margaret on 01359 241541 for more details. As I have said in previous reports, this group is open to ladies of all ages, not just ladies who attend our services on Sundays. Our services in February will be led by: Sunday, February 3
Stephen Spurgeon
Sunday, February 10 Stephen Spurgeon Sunday, February 17 Mark Partridge Sunday, February 24 Rev Barbara Challis Stephen describes himself as our pastoral overseer, Barbara is a regular speaker at our services, Mark, a former member of our church, comes back to preach once or twice a year and Martin will be returning after his first visit in February last year. We are grateful for all our speakers who give up their time to come and lead our worship at 10.30am each and every Sunday. Elmswell Baptist Church, Ashfield Road, Elmswell IP30 9HG www.elmswellbaptist.org.uk
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CHURCH NEWS NORTON SALVATION ARMY Woolpit Road, Norton IP31 3LU Captains Andrew and Jackie Jarrold REGULAR ACTIVITIES Sunday Worship: 11am & 6pm Family Service & Breakfast: First Sunday in month at 10.45am – relaxed, informal family worship with refreshments. Tea and Toast Community Fellowship: Monday and Wednesday at 8.45am. All welcome. Toddlesong: Mondays, 9.30-11.30am (term time only) Music, refreshments, play for toddlers (and parents and carers!) 610 Club: Tuesdays, 6-7pm (term time only) Games, fun, craft and much more for ages six-10ish
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CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other) Lunches: Thursdays, 11.30am-1pm Everyone welcome! Enjoy fellowship over a meal. Bible Study: Tuesdays, 7.45pm fortnightly Enjoy God’s word in a relaxed way either at SA Hall or 37 Blackbourne Road, Elmswell Band Practice: Thursdays, 8pm Songster Practice: Tuesdays, 7.45pm (fortnightly) Craft Night: Third Friday, 7-9pm Informal crafting for all abilities norton@salvationarmy.org.uk / 01359 240787/231770 (hall) www.nortonsalvationarmy.co.uk Facebook: Norton Salvation Army
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